Deep brain stimulation for severe, chronic pain

Deep brain electrodes placed in the parafascicularis-centre-median area (pf-CM) can reliably relieve severe chronic pain of long duration by simple electrical stimulation, in selected cases. Twenty-eight patients are presented here who had one or more electrodes placed for periods ranging from a few days to several months. Overall results rated good-to-excellent (having 50% or more relief of the prestimulation pain) were seen in 76% of the cases. Intraoperative test stimulation has been very useful in predicting future effectiveness. Also presented are a new disposable ventricular catheter and a burr hole plug and cap for anchoring the electrode wires in the skull.